Island



STATES ATET OFFICE.

WM. HATHAWAY, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF AND DAVID H. TILLSON, OF SAME PLACE.

CLOTHES-FRAME.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 28,983, dated July 3, 1860.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I WM. HATHAWAY, of the city and county of Providence, State of Rhode Island, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clothes- Frames, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 represents an elevation of ya clothes frame embracing my improvements, with one section closed. Fig. 2 represents a plan of the same; and Fig. 3 represents a vertical section through one of the collars supporting the inner end of the cross bars.

My improvements in clothes-frames relate to that class of folding frames in which the horizontal bars on which the clothes are hung are hinged at one end to a central post and at the other to an outer movable post by which they are raised when the frame is closed.

The objection to the post and horizontal bar frame as heretofore constructed, is, that the frame cannot be raised to move it laterally when open and full of clothes, without the bars of the outer post dropping and disarranging the clothes.

To overcome this defect is the object of my improvement; and my invention for effecting this object consists, in arranging the supporting bar for the clothes in connection with a central collar hinge so that the end of the bar extends within its center of motion, and comes in contact with the under side of the collar which acts as a stop to sustain the bar and prevent its dropping below a horizontal position when the open frame is raised for the purpose of moving it.

By reference to the accompanying drawing my improvement will be more fully understood.

This clothes frame consists of a heavy foot (A), from which rises a central post (B), and on this post are arranged at proper distances apart a series of collars (C). To these collars the inner ends of the cross bars (D) are pivoted; while the outer ends of I each set of bars are hinged to a movable post (E). These collars are made with arms (a) divided at the outer end, and form side plates between which the cross bars (D) are pivoted, a short distance from the end; so that the end of the bar when in a horizontal position may extend within the jointpivot and bear against the under side of the arm (a) which forms a stop to prevent the bars when the frame is open from drooping as the frame is raised.

It will be seen that with the hinge collar, constructed so that the cross bars pivoted to them extend within the pivot joint toward the center of the collar, and bear, when down, against the under side of the collar arm, (which prevents them from dropping) a very strong and secure joint is formed, which is not liable to break out, from the strain thrown upon the arms, as is the case with the ordinary hinge joint.

The number of sections comprising the frame may be increased or diminished, as may be found convenient in making large or small frames; and the hinge collars instead of being attached to the central post may be arranged to turn on the post; and the outer post may be provided with casters to facilitate the turning of the frame.

Having thus described my improvements in clothes frames, what I claim therein as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The combination of the cross bars of the frame, with a hinge collar so arranged that the end of the bar pivoted to the collar eX- tends beyond the joint pivot toward the center of the collar and bears against the under side of the arms, and is supported by them from dropping, substantially as described, for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have subscribed my name.

W'ILLIAM HATHAWAY.

Vitnesses:

HENRY MARTIN, ALBERT M. Hnwrr'r. 

